Monthly Archives: June 2023

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Abraham prepares to sacrifice Isaac

Dear Friends,
In our Old Testament reading this week, we will hear of God’s command to Abraham to sacrifice his son as a burnt offering.  In the text, Abraham is commended for obeying and the killing is only averted when God relinquishes the order. Even then, God doesn’t use the moment to teach Abraham that human sacrifice is wrong, but rather praises him for his obedience saying “Now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son.”

How do we understand such passages?  Does God really desire human sacrifice?  This is not just an academic question – this week we have seen a trial begin in Nigeria of a “Christian” leader accused of instructing his followers to starve themselves and their children to death so they can “go to be with Jesus!” How do we understand the bible and handle such texts? This will be the subject of my sermon this week.

The readings for this Sunday will be from Genesis 22:1-14, Romans 6:12-23, Matthew 10:40-42, and we will be singing the hymns The God of Abraham Praise; Dear Lord and Father of Mankind; Christ is the World’s Light; and Go forth and tell!

Use this link to join on Zoom this Sunday at 10:30 am
Meeting ID: 548 801 501

Last Week’s Sermon

Last week’s sermon by Deacon Christa Crawford, “Parallel Promises!”, can be seen here!

Katie – Farewell!

Last Sunday was Katie’s last Sunday at All Saints.  She has served as a council member, organised our retreats, and just a general lively member of the church.  She will be greatly missed! We said goodbye with a blessing in the church and a cake.  It was a great joy that former member Rebecca Burkholder was visiting and was able to participate in the sending out!

Chili Night – Video

Gene and Kong!

Chili Night will return next Tuesday, 4th July!  After eating our fill of chili, rice, macaroni cheese, and ice-cream, we will have the opportunity to watch Gene and Kong’s wedding video together.  It lasts about thirty minutes.
 

Weekly Offering to All Saints

You can still donate in person or online.  Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together.  God has shown that he is mighty and we are in his hands!

God bless,

Father Iain

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Deacon Christa will be preaching this Sunday!

Dear Friends,
In our Old Testament reading this week, we will hear part of the story of Ishmael, the son of Hagar and Abraham.  He was a child of God’s promise too, just as was Isaac, the son of Sarah and Abraham.  Christa will unpick these parallel promises this Sunday, and ask what we can learn from them.

Another notable women of God will be leaving us this Sunday as Katie departs for the States, and we will be praying for her as she goes.  Last week we also said goodbye to Josie who has worshipped with us for a number of years.

Saying farewell to Josie last Sunday!

The readings for this Sunday will be from Genesis 21:8-21, Romans 6:1-11, and Matthew 10:24-39, and we will be singing the hymns Praise with joy the world’s creator; God of the Women; Rise up Women; and Christ, Be Our Light!

Use this link to join on Zoom this Sunday at 10:30 am
Meeting ID: 548 801 501

Last Week’s Sermon

Last week’s sermon by Pastor Mark Crawford, “What is too difficult?”, can be seen here!

Katie – Farewell!

This Sunday, 25th June, is Katie’s last Sunday at All Saints.  She has served as a council member, organised our retreats, and just a general lively member of the church.  She will be greatly missed! We will say goodbye with a blessing in the church and a cake at our Green O’Clock lunch.

Chili Night – Video

Gene and Kong!

Chili Night will return on Tuesday 4th July!  After eating our fill of chili, rice, macaroni cheese, and ice-cream, we will have the opportunity to watch Gene and Kong’s wedding video together.  It lasts about thirty minutes!

Also, please pray for Gene who had one cataract removed yesterday and will be operated on for the second today.


My Return



The engine fell out of my campervan last Friday and so Ratcha and I flew back to Chiang Mai on Sunday night.  “The Elephant” is now in the MG garage in Surat Thani and we are waiting for news!
 

Weekly Offering to All Saints

You can still donate in person or online.  Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together.  God has shown that he is mighty and we are in his hands!

God bless,

Father Iain

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

How do we model Jesus to the world?

Dear Friends,
In this week’s Gospel reading Jesus sends out the twelve disciples to participate in his work: 

“As you go proclaim the good news, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons…”

We are all called to do the same, to proclaim the coming of the Kingdom of God and to act in a way which shows its arrival!

Last month, members of All Saints took part in the pride festival and march.  Half of those who took part were not gay or trans, but took part as Christians declaring God’s love for all.

A recent survey put the UK and US as 28th and 30th, out of 30 countries polled, for their attitudes to, and acceptance of, trans people.  Health care has just been withdrawn for trans children in England, schools will soon be instructed not to honour students’ preferred names or pronouns, and transwomen have lost the right to be recognised as women.  Many states in the US have brought in similar provisions.

Meanwhile, in Uganda “persistent” homosexual offenders can face the death penalty, and even supporting LGBT rights or renting property to a gay person can result in ten years in jail. Faced with these situations, we can only ask “What would Jesus do?”

May we together proclaim the Kingdom of God, a kingdom of love and affirmation where all feel loved and secure.

The readings for this Sunday will be from Genesis 18:1-15, Romans 5:1-8, and Matthew 9:35-10:15, and we will be singing the hymns Let All the World in Every Corner Sing; Brother, Sister, Let me Serve You; Lord, I want to be a Christian; and I, the Lord of Sea and Sky!

Use this link to join on Zoom this Sunday at 10:30 am
Meeting ID: 548 801 501

Last Week’s Sermon

Last week’s sermon by Father Peter Tarleton, “All Connected!”, can be seen here!

Chili Night 

Some of the group!

Chili Night is on vacation!  It will return on Tuesday 4th July!  
 

Weekly Offering to All Saints

You can still donate in person or online.  Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together.  God has shown that he is mighty and we are in his hands!

God bless,

Father Iain

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

Father Peter will be preaching this Sunday!

Dear Friends,
Many of us are away for the summer – I am writing this from Krabi – but Father Peter will be preaching this Sunday and Pastor Mark will be presiding at the Eucharist.  Not only this, but Deacon Gene will be back this week, too! Last Sunday Katie preached, and if you missed it then listen below – it’s worth listening to!  She will be leaving us to further her studies in the States and will be greatly missed!

This week’s scriptures look at faith: the Old and New Testament readings concentrate on Abraham, while our Gospel reading tells of the calling of Matthew and the faith of a hemorrhaging woman and a bereaved synagogue leader.

What about our faith?  What does it challenge us to do and how do we respond?

The readings for this Sunday will be from Genesis 12:1-9, Romans 4:13-25, and Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26, and we will be singing the hymns The God of Abraham Praise; Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart; You laid aside Your Majesty; and When we walk with the Lord!

Use this link to join on Zoom this Sunday at 10:30 am
Meeting ID: 548 801 501

Last Week’s Sermon

Last week’s sermon by Katie Wierenga, “Love Your Neighbour”, can be seen here!

Chili Night 

Some of the group!

Chili Night is on vacation!  It will return on Tuesday 4th July!  
 

Weekly Offering to All Saints

You can still donate in person or online.  Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together.  God has shown that he is mighty and we are in his hands!

God bless,

Father Iain

From Father Iain, All Saints Chiang Mai

All Saints’ people marching last Sunday!

Dear Friends,
I am very proud of the people of All Saints.  Many people, both gay and straight, marched and staffed the All Saints’ booth at last Sunday’s Pride Festival.

Special thanks to Pastor Mark, Deacon Christa, and the Sensamaust family, for coordinating our contribution.  And congratulations to Deacon Nat of the St Mary Independent Catholic Mission, who attends All Saints, who performed the same-sex marriage blessing.

Pastor Mark on the Main Stage

Same-Sex Blessing

This Sunday is Trinity Sunday.  The Trinity symbolizes and reveals God’s unity in diversity.  God has created a wonderful rainbow of genders and sexualities in God’s people.  As we acknowledge and welcome one another, we can rejoice in all God has made.

The readings for Trinity Sunday will be from Isaiah 40:12-17, 27-31, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, and Matthew 28:16-20, and we will be singing the hymns Holy, Holy, Holy; Father we love you; Mothering God; and Tell Out My Soul!

Use this link to join on Zoom this Sunday at 10:30 am
Meeting ID: 548 801 501

Last Week’s Sermon

Last week’s sermon for Pentecost Sunday, “Let God out of the Box”, can be seen here!

Pattaya Ordination

Assembled Bishops, Priests, and Acolytes

It was a great joy for me to participate in the ordination of Lloyd Hobbard-Mitchell at St George’s, Pattaya, last Sunday.

Please hold Lloyd in your prayers.

Laying on of hands!

Chili Night 

Some of the group!

Chili Night is on vacation!  It will return on Tuesday 4th July!  
 

Weekly Offering to All Saints

You can still donate in person or online.  Thank you for your support and love for All Saints and all we are trying to do together.  God has shown that he is mighty and we are in his hands!

God bless,

Father Iain